When Bond is flirting with her in one scene, she tells him 'You can turn off the charm. Stanwyck is the first major Hollywood actress to portray an unconcealed lesbian in an American film.Īlthough the film does not make her sexual orientation explicit, hints are made in the dialogue. Lulu tells the Countess that she is being blackmailed by Rodrigo Quast, who threatens to turn her over to the police, and the Countess agrees to help Lulu by tricking Rodrigo into thinking that she is interested in him, luring him to his death.
Later, she goes in search of Lulu, who is hiding on a gambling ship, and gives her much-needed money. She then helps rescue Lulu from being taken to prison. At Lulu's wedding party, she looks at her longingly and finds an opportunity to dance with her. The Countess likes to wear a man's jacket, shirt, and tie as informal attire. Michael eventually leaves Claude for a woman. The first film supportive of homosexuality.Ĭlaude is a painter who falls in love with his assistant, Michael.
